THE Wanted singer Tom Parker has said that recent weeks have been difficult since the group announced their split.

Since forming in 2009, the boy band have enjoyed a string of hits but will go their separate ways after their upcoming ‘Word of Mouth’ tour.

The former St Brendan's Primary and Thornleigh School pupil, who grew up in Tonge Moor, said: “It’s been a bit of a difficult couple of weeks.

“At the end of the day, we are all best friends — we’ve spent four years of our lives together.
“We’ve got a tour to do, and we’re looking forward to the tour.”

He revealed that he has been shooting a video for his first solo track, which has seen him working with Fazer, real name Richard Rawson, from hip hop trio NDubz.

Tom said: “He played this track and said I think you would be great singing on it. It’s worked out pretty well.

“It’s all a bit weird because I’ve not done that much stuff myself for the last four years.”

Along with former Bolton School pupil Max George, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran and Jay McGuiness, The Wanted have had a string of hit singles including All Time Low, Chasing The Sun and Glad You Came.

The lads have also had success in America, including reality television series The Wanted Life which launched on E! in June, 2013, but have been unable to emulate the success of fellow boyband One Direction, who saw tickets for their tour sell out in minutes.

The Wanted’s European leg of their tour was cancelled, with a statement citing “unforeseeable changes in our scheduling” and tickets are still available for the UK dates, including Manchester’s Phones 4u Arena on March 18.

Despite the split, Tom insists fans have not seen the last of The Wanted.

He said: “It’s not going to be the end. I think when you do something so intense, it’s nice to branch out and do your own thing.”